"F**k You Very Much"

Lily Allen would have to be one of my favourite artists of ALL time!
And with her eagerly anticipated second studio album, recently retitled "It's Not Me, It's You" out early next year, it's time to recognize!

Her debut album "Alright, Still" was on high rotation on my laptop throughout'07 (Score: 9/10), and after meeting and seeing her she instantly became my favourite musicians ever! The album included four great singles ("Smile", "LDN", "Littlest Things" and of course "Alfie") but the standout track would have had to have been "Take What You Take".

With a two and a bit year interval between albums, Lily lent her talent to tracks with the likes of Mark Ronson, Dizzee Rascal, Common and the Kaiser Chiefs and is now regarded as an " artist of unusual diversity". Her latest offering "It's Not Me, It's You" (formerly titled "Stuck on the Naughty Step") will make its way into shops on February 9th 2009, and has big expectations!

Over the last few months there have been a number of leaks from the album, including "Everyone's At It", I Don't Know" (Retitled "The Fear"), "Guess Who Batman" (retitled "Fuck You") and "Who'd of Known". My favourite of these leaks, the now retitled "Fuck You", is a brilliant song which has a simple but stomping beat and is lyrically her best work yet, with the chorus roaring "Fuck you, fuck you very very m u-u-u-uch"! It is a song that provokes and questions some of today's big issues, including racism and homophobia. Not sure if it will pass the Censors to be released as a single but it will for sure be a standout on the album.
Another leak "Who'd Have Known" is another great song, and is this time a little slower. It is typically Lily, with deep and strong lyrics and another great beat that has become accustomed with her music.

Now to the first single to be taken off the album, "The Fear" (to be released January 26th 2009). It is a song that also has strong lyrics with lily questioning herself and pondering life's big questions. Musically this time, it is a little more slow-electronic and has a great beat the carries the song. It shows a different and innovative direction in her sound, but still has that element about it (along with her voice) that makes it reconcilable. a great piece if work!

Scores:
"Fuck You" - 9.9/10
"Who'd Have Known" - 8/10
"The Fear" - 8.5/10


For updates on the new album and for a listen to some of Lil's new tracks, visit her official Myspace.